36C24E26D0024_1.docx

This is a Justification and Approval Notice for a sole source contract award. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office East in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (ZIP 15215-1802) awarded a five-year research contract to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), located at 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, under Solicitation Number 36C24E26R0016. The contract, issued on September 2, 2026, carries an award amount of $1,000,000.00 and is designated as Delivery/Task Order Number 36C24E26D0024. The contracting officer is Ann Marie Stewart (annmarie.stewart@va.gov, 401-919-0878). The Product Service Code is AJ11 (Research Services) and the NAICS Code is 541720.

The contract authorizes OHSU to provide technical expertise and conduct research on a public health approach to firearm injury and suicide prevention among Veterans. The research will implement advanced quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches in support of the VA Portland Healthcare System. Required staff include Research Data Analysts, Biostatisticians, and Epidemiologists with master's or doctoral degrees in public health; Research Assistants with bachelor's degrees and extensive experience in public health and firearm injury prevention; and investigators with advanced expertise in firearm injury epidemiology among Veterans, suicide prevention, violence intervention programs, secure firearm storage, and cultural competency in communicating with firearm owners. All staff must maintain active presentations and publications at state, regional, and national conferences. The sole source award is authorized under 38 U.S.C. 8153, which permits sole source contracts with VA academic affiliates for research purposes. OHSU serves as the primary academic affiliate of the VA Portland Healthcare System.